Page 247 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Pops nodded. “Yes, I’m flying back Tuesday evening.”

“Okay, we’ll pick you up at the airport.” She looked at Maddox for confirmation.

He grinned as he turned to Wallace. “She’s the boss,” Maddox joked, slipping an arm around Addie’s shoulders and pulling her close.

“You’re a smart man,” Pops chuckled.

“My mama didn’t raise no dummy,” Maddox quipped in an exaggerated drawl.

Addie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right!”

Maddox’s face fell as he turned to her. “You think I’m a dummy?”

Heat flamed her face as she giggled. “No, I meant that I’m not the boss,” she explained, then saw the look that passed between Maddox and Pops. She realized they were teasing her. She shook her head, grinning. “Maddox Easton, what am I gonna do with you?”

“I’m sure you’ll think of something,” he winked.

She knew Maddox was trying to keep the mood light to get her mind off Piper. She reveled in how wonderful it was to be with the man she loved. After they made up at his condo the night before, they’d gone inside. Addie munched on leftover pizza, and they talked into the wee hours of the morning about their future. Maddox invited her to have Thanksgiving with his family, saying that his mama would be thrilled. Maddox was even considering renting one of Pops’ cabins, so he and Addie could be together as often as possible. It was hard to believe that everything had changed so quickly. She still didn’t like to think about Maddox being in constant danger, but she was going to have to take that one step at a time.Don’t borrow trouble. Don’t mourn the hypothetical.The more she kept repeating those phrases, the more peaceful she felt about the situation. She’d just have to keep moving forward with faith and keep a running prayer in her heart that all would be well.

Just when Addie felt herself dancing on air, she’d gotten the call from Hamilton and everything came crashing back down. It was ironic and so very unfair that the very event—Jordan’s death—which had destroyed Piper’s life, brought Addie and Maddox back together.

Maddox motioned with his head towards the plane. “You ready?”

“Yep.” She gave Pops a tight hug. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Squirt. I’m proud of you.” A smile filled his face. “I’m so glad the two of you are finally back together.” He sighed in contentment. “My work is done.”

Addie laughed. “Nah. You’ve still got lots left to do. You have a granddaughter to take care of.” Corbin and Delaney were practically glowing when they left them at the hospital this morning, both ecstatic to be parents.

“That’s right.” Pops hugged Maddox. “Have a safe trip. I’ll see you both Tuesday evening.” His lips formed a grim line. “Give Piper my love. Tell her I’m praying for her.”

An unexpected lump formed in Addie’s throat. “I will. It sounds like she needs all the prayers she can get.”

Just breathe, Addie kept repeating to herself as she and Maddox drove through the gates of the Gentry Estate. She glanced at Maddox, who was driving the car, as she rubbed her sweaty palms on her pants. “I’m so glad you’re here with me.”

“Me too.” He smiled, his right hand letting go of the steering wheel as he reached for her hand, linking his fingers through hers. His brows knit together. “You’re as cold as ice.”

A shiver ran through her. “I know.” She looked out the window at the passing evergreens lining the driveway. It had been sunny and warm in San Diego, but they had landed in Colorado to fog and cold drizzle. “It feels like déjà vu, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, it does,” Maddox agreed as they lapsed into silence.

When they pulled up to the house, Addie turned to Maddox, her stomach churning. “I don’t know what to say to Piper.” She’d been floored by Hamilton’s phone call, never dreaming in a million years that Piper would try to commit suicide. She and Maddox talked about it on the plane ride over with Maddox explaining that, given the right or wrong set of circumstances, anyone could be driven to that point. Piper had been slammed with so much during such a short period of time that she was understandably fragile. But suicide? Addie still couldn’t fathom it. She had no training for this. Needles of desperation pricked at the base of her skull, and she felt a sense of foreboding.

“It’s not about what you will say, but the fact that you’re here that matters,” Maddox reassured her.

Her heart squeezed. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

Maddox frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. I can’t explain it.” The foreboding had started on the plane ride and steadily increased. It had built to the point of frenzy. She forced a smile. “I guess I’m just stressed to the max.” Tears pooled in her eyes. “I lost Jordan, one of my closest friends.” She swallowed. “Yesterday, I almost lost Piper.” Her lower lip trembled and she bit down to stay it. “I just keep thinking about what would’ve happened if Hamilton hadn’t found her in time …”

“He did find her.” He gathered her hands in his and cradled them. He peered into her eyes. “You’re a strong woman, Addie Spencer. You’ve got this.”

She jerked in surprise, a smile tugging at her lips.

He cocked his head. “What?”

“You’ve got this.That’s what Delaney and Corbin both said to me last night before I went to find you.” The large smile that filled his face sent warmth rushing through her, dispelling some of the gloom.

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